PENNEYS, the chain store, has gone for silks in a big way for spring and summer. For the new ranges, seen yesterday in the Pillar Room of the Rotunda Hospital, the word luxury seemed pretty apt. With a jacket at only £45 and a dress at £20 it is also amazingly good value.
This chain has been gradually moving upmarket, using good quality natural fabrics and sophisticated colours. At the same time there is still plenty of the zany, strongly influenced by the 1960s; mainly brilliantly coloured zip up jackets and mini micro skirts.
The new, simple classics are the real achievement because these cannot be easy to make so cheaply. The pure silks come in indigo, beige, smoke blue and sea green, all highly flattering in the long shapes, off set by flat bronze mules (£8). This group includes palazzo trousers (£25), wrap skirts (£18), long line jackets (£45) and long "Empire" dresses (£30), all delightful.
There is also pure linen. Short, smart, red, white and navy sheath dresses (£25), and matching jackets (£25). Good strong colours and a great fit make these little numbers stunning. The group includes white linen overshirts (£16), trousers (£30) and embroidered waistcoats.
But good style has not squeezed out great little shockers, revamps of the 1960s, in colour blocks of black and white, vivid turquoise, dazzling lime and bright orange, best worn a size too small and stretched tight.
These are second skin clothes containing plenty of Lycra, with hipsters, zip up shortie jackets, A line mini skirts and tiny tops looking every bit as good as first time around. Nothing here costs more than £35, and most pieces are under £20.
This is part of the summer range and will be in the stores by May.